Digital Equity Series - The Imperative of Collective Impact

Brian Sankarsingh explores why using a Collective Impact framework is the best way to address Digital Equity in Canada

Summary

In the digital age, access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) has become a critical determinant of social and economic well-being. However, as the pace of technology continues to advance, a digital divide persists, creating disparities in access, skills, and opportunities. Canada is not immune to this challenge and many Canadians are struggling against the increasing digital divide.  Addressing the issue of digital equity requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. In this essay I argue that the most effective strategy to tackle digital equity in Canada is through a collective impact framework. This collective impact approach emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts across sectors, organizations, and communities.

Digital equity is not just access to technology. It involves ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, geographic location, or demographic characteristics, have the necessary skills, resources, and opportunities to participate fully in the digital world. Achieving digital equity is a multifaceted challenge that requires addressing issues such as affordable access to high-speed internet, digital literacy, device availability, the ability to charge devices and inclusive digital content.

The Current State of Digital Equity in Canada

Canada, with its vast and diverse landscape, faces unique challenges in achieving digital equity. While urban centers easily boast high-speed internet connectivity and an overabundance of digital resources, rural and remote areas may struggle with inadequate, poor or non-existent infrastructure, that serves to limit access to essential services. Moreover, people living in marginalized communities may lack the skills and resources necessary to leverage technology for personal and economic development.

Undoubtedly, individual efforts and isolated initiatives have made commendable strides, but the scale and complexity of the digital equity challenge demand a more unified and synergistic approach. Collective impact, as a framework, offers a promising strategy to consolidate efforts, pool resources, and drive systemic change.

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Understanding Collective Impact

Collective impact is a structured and collaborative approach to solving complex social problems. Coined by John Kania and Mark Kramer in a 2011 Stanford Social Innovation Review article, collective impact emphasizes the need for organizations from different sectors to work together toward a common agenda. The five key conditions of collective impact – a common agenda, shared measurement systems, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support—provide a roadmap for creating meaningful and lasting change. Let us look at these five elements and why they’re important within the collective impact framework.

1.       Common Agenda

The first condition of collective impact, a common agenda. This emphasizes the importance of a shared vision and goals amongst all stakeholders. In the context of digital equity in Canada, a common agenda would involve aligning efforts to address key challenges, such as advocating for improving internet infrastructure, addressing the need for more affordable access to the internet, enhancing digital literacy skills, and promoting the development of digital skills. By establishing shared priorities, organizations can streamline their efforts and avoid duplication of resources. This common agenda represents the ties that bind each organization participating in the collective impact work. Each organization may be addressing different systemic challenges, but the common agenda means they are not doing this work alone or in a vacuum.

2.       Shared Measurement Systems

Measuring the impact of interventions is crucial for understanding progress and refining strategies. In a collective impact endeavour, as with any project, what gets measured gets improved. A shared measurement system within a collective impact framework ensures that all stakeholders use common metrics to assess outcomes. For digital equity, this could involve tracking indicators such as internet penetration rates, digital literacy levels, and the availability of affordable devices. Standardized measurements enable better evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions and facilitate data-driven decision-making.

3.       Mutually Reinforcing Activities

To achieve meaningful change, organizations must engage in mutually reinforcing activities that complement one another. In the context of digital equity, this could involve partnerships between internet service providers, educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations. For instance, a collaborative effort might involve subsidizing internet access for low-income families while simultaneously offering digital literacy programs to enhance their skills. By coordinating activities, organizations can amplify their impact and address digital equity comprehensively.

4.       Continuous Communication

Effective communication is the lifeblood of collective impact. Regular and open communication ensures that all stakeholders are informed, engaged, and aligned with the common agenda. In the context of digital equity, continuous communication is essential to coordinate initiatives, share best practices, and address emerging challenges. For example, regular forums and working groups could bring together representatives from various sectors to exchange insights, discuss strategies, and foster a culture of collaboration.

5.       Backbone Support

The backbone support function provides the infrastructure necessary for effective collaboration. It involves a dedicated team or organization that facilitates the collective impact initiative, managing logistics, coordinating activities, and supporting communication among stakeholders. In the context of digital equity, a backbone organization could serve as a central hub for coordinating efforts, securing funding, and advocating for policy changes that promote inclusivity in the digital space.

Advantages of Collective Impact in Addressing Digital Equity

Several compelling reasons support the adoption of a collective impact approach to address digital equity in Canada.

Collective impact encourages a holistic and systemic approach to problem-solving. Digital equity is a multifaceted challenge that cannot be adequately addressed through isolated interventions. By bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, collective impact enables a comprehensive strategy that considers the interconnected nature of digital access, literacy, and skills development. Different organizations and sectors bring unique strengths and expertise to the table. In the collective impact model, these diverse perspectives can be harnessed to develop innovative solutions. For example, technology companies can contribute insights into infrastructure development, while educational institutions can design effective digital literacy programs. By leveraging the collective expertise of stakeholders, a more robust and effective response to digital equity challenges can be achieved.

Digital equity initiatives often require financial and human resources. In a collective impact framework, resources can be pooled and optimized to achieve maximum impact. Instead of individual organizations duplicating efforts, collective impact ensures a coordinated and efficient allocation of resources. Digital equity initiatives are most effective when they are grounded in the needs and aspirations of the communities they aim to serve. Collective impact fosters community engagement by involving local organizations and community members in the decision-making process. This ensures that solutions are contextually relevant and tailored to the unique challenges faced by different communities across Canada.

Achieving digital equity is not a one-time endeavor; it requires sustained efforts over time. Collective impact, with its emphasis on continuous communication and shared measurement systems, provides a framework for ongoing collaboration. This long-term approach is essential for monitoring progress, adapting strategies based on feedback, and ensuring that the benefits of digital equity initiatives are enduring.

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Digital Equity Collective Impact Initiative in a Guelph Wellington community

To illustrate the potential impact of a collective approach, let's consider a case study of the digital equity collective impact initiative that is currently ongoing in the Guelph Wellington community.

Background

Guelph is a city in Southwestern ON. It is about 70km from Toronto. Guelph is the sear of Wellington County. Guelph Wellington is a mix of rural and suburban. Manufacturing and Education are the leading sectors, with Linamar Corporation – a manufacturing company that serves mobility access, agriculture and MedTech industries – as one of the leading economic contributors.

The Guelph Wellington Digital Equity Coalition (GWDEC) is focused on taking action to address digital inequity in all its forms. They work on promoting digital equity in Guelph Wellington so that everyone in the community can benefit from technology. For GWDEC, digital equity means that everyone has access to technology and the skills to use it to be part of our society, government, and economy. They have a vision of a community without barriers to digital participation and their mission is to work with their partners to improve digital access through advocacy, access to devices and networks, and digital skill building.

Common Agenda

Stakeholders from Guelph Community Health Centre, government agencies, the local library, non-profit organizations, and other community organizations come together to define a common agenda for digital equity. The stakeholders collectively agreed to focus on three main areas:

1.       Advocacy

2.       Technology

3.       Capacity Building  

These focus areas include advocating for broadband infrastructure, working to provide access to affordable devices and enhancing digital literacy programs.

Shared Measurement Systems

The GWDEC Steering Committee works with its system partners to consistently determine what project work needs to be done and how to measure its success. This is ongoing work that is done for every project handled by system partners. Success and updates are shared with all system partners and the community at large on a regular basis.

Mutually Reinforcing Activities

GWDEC uses collaborative projects to address specific aspects of digital equity. For example, a developing a working partnership between the University of Guelph R2B2 project and the Guelph Tool Library to source laptop computers and tablets, refurbish them and loan them to community members.

Continuous Communication

The GWDEC Steering Committee meets monthly to set the agenda and develop the Coalition’s digital equity strategy. Regular meetings of all system partners also occur monthly and help keep everyone invested and informed. The GWDEC also conducts community town halls and focus groups to ensure that they continue to advocate for and prioritize community needs. These efforts ensures that all participants are informed about ongoing initiatives, share insights, and coordinate activities. Feedback loops are integrated to allow for continuous improvement.

Backbone Support

The GWDEC Steering Committee plays the role of the backbone of the initiative. The Steering Committee is responsible for coordinating activities, securing funding, advocating for policy changes, and facilitating communication among stakeholders. The Steering Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring the initiative's overall effectiveness.

Conclusion

Digital equity is a pressing challenge that requires a concerted and collaborative effort to address effectively. By fostering the collective impact approach of a common agenda, implementing shared measurement systems, engaging in mutually reinforcing activities, promoting continuous communication, and providing backbone support, stakeholders can work together to bridge the digital divide.

The adoption of a collective impact framework offers a pathway to holistic and sustainable solutions, leveraging the strengths of diverse stakeholders and optimizing resources. Digital equity is not just a matter of social justice; it is a strategic imperative for fostering inclusive economic growth, empowering communities, and building a more resilient and connected nation.

Bio: BRIAN SANKARSINGH is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who has published several books of poetry on a wide range of social and historical themes including racism, colonialism, and enslavement. Sankarsingh artfully blends prose and poetry into his storytelling creating an eclectic mix with both genres. This unique approach is sure to provide something for everyone.